Suva, December 8 – A swimming instructor training funded by the Australian Government’s Pacific Sports Partnership program in conjunction with the Ministry of Youth and Sports was run for youth participants and swim teachers at Northern Club, Lautoka.

Fiji Swimming instructors facilitated the training held from 6 to 8 of December 2017 for 20 youths and 5 teachers.
The training equipped participants with the necessary skills to teach children and youths how to swim and to promote water safety by teaching the correct swimming skills.
The Minister for Youth and Sports, the Honourable Laisenia Tuitubou, commended the efforts of the training instructors from Fiji Swimming in creating awareness on safe swimming skills and also thanked the Australian Government for their kind support.
“Drowning is a health concern in Fiji and has also been identified as one of Fiji’s five leading causes of death for those aged 1 to 29 years,” the Honourable Minister said.
“The training is intended to create a safer community for children and youths, provide employment opportunities for youths as qualified instructors and allow provision for swimming lessons to be integrated in the teaching curriculum for teachers.”
One of the participants from the Navutu Youth club, Mr. Akariva Kau, said the workshop has enabled him to learn new swimming techniques and this will also allow him to share his experiences with other youths in his village.
“It was very appealing when I heard about this workshop for the very first time,’” he said. “I would like to become a swimming instructor as there are a lot of drowning among the people under the age of 25 in Fiji.”
“I wish to take the experiences and the knowledge back with me and educate those that do not how to swim,” he further stated.
“Many Fijians know how to swim, however many of us do not realise that there are safety practices required when swimming – I believe if you do not know the safety practices while in water you simply do not know how to swim."